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Roger Urban

Platter’s Chocolates is a family business owned and operated by the Urban family since 1972. Owner Roger Urban purchased Platter’s from Carl Platter who started the business in 1938, and several members of Urban family currently work in the business. Several years ago Roger purchased Betty Dixon Candies, the Jamestown candy shop that Lucille Ball worked at as a teenager, and which inspired the famous episode on her show. This purchase broadened Platter’s manufacturing lines and chocolate mold inventory.

In 2014, Platter’s acquired Ko-Ed Candies, a South Buffalo tradition since 1947, again expanding production. This lead to Platter’s outgrowing its facility. In 2015, Platter’s embarked on a major expansion project to allow for increased production and to develop a tourist destination with a portion of the manufacturing plant visible to tour groups and shoppers. This involved transforming a large section of the former Wurlitzer Factory. The new location includes a gift shop and a “Café” at which visitors can enjoy coffee, ice cream, local favorites and of course chocolates!

Platter’s Chocolates worked with SBDC Advisor Dinene Zaleski to develop a business plan and loan applications for the bank and public agencies including, Empire State Development, Niagara Economic Development Fund, Lumber City Development Corporation and New York Power Authority Power Proceeds. Many dignitaries were on hand for the November 2016 ribbon cutting. As a result of this project, Platters is now a destination that attracts locals and tourists who will also visit other nearby stores, restaurants, and local businesses.

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The Research Network aims the content of this blog primarily at the New York Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC) community on the kinds of things we encounter every day. Views expressed are those of the Research Network staff, and not necessarily those of the New York SBDC or its partners. Comments to an individual post are encouraged. Such comments will be monitored, so please, keep them clean and professional.

Definition of a small business by the US federal government

Definition of a small business in the state of New York

Consolidated Law for the State of New YorkEconomic Development Law § 131§ 131. Definition of a small business. For the purposes of this chapter, a small business shall be deemed to be one which is resident in this state, independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field and employs one hundred or less persons.

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The NYS SBDC, administered by the State University of New York, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.